Dating scam suspect back in local custody

Syracuse, NY - A Fayettevile man awaiting sentencing in a local dating scam case is back in local custody after being in federal custody elsewhere for several months.

Donald Van Valkenburg, 43, was supposed to be sentenced last year by County Judge Anthony Aloi to five years' probation and time served.

He was back before Aloi briefly today on a warrant the judge issued last year so that Van Valkenburg would not be released from federal custody before being returned to be sentenced here.

Van Valkenburg pleaded guilty in May to third-degree grand larceny, admitting he stole more than $3,000 from a woman in what authorities said was part of a relationship scam.

The plea also satisfied charges Van Valkenburg never paid for flowers and jewelry he purchased at businesses in Manlius, DeWitt and Skaneateles by using a false business name in the transactions.

Van Valkenburg's sentencing here has been delayed because he was sentenced in federal court in Virginia last year to a prison sentence for charges that predated the relationship scam here.

At one point last year, Aloi noted Van Valkenburg was "in the black hole of federal jurisdiction" as local authorities tried to determine his whereabouts and when they could get him back here for sentencing.

Aloi issued a bench warrant at that time so Van Valkenburg would not be released from prison wherever he was before being brought back for sentencing here.

With Van Valkenburg now back in Syracuse, Aloi adjourned his case to Wednesday for his lawyer to be in court with him.